Yousei no Kuni

by Yuuki-hiro

Six

Toshiya + Magic x Crying = Hazardous to Health

Kaoru shuddered involuntarily as he recalled the state he found Shinya in. It was apparent, by the mark craved onto his forearm, that a local gang had attacked Shinya.

However, it turned out to be the other way around. After the police rounded up the supposed attackers, they found out that Shinya was the one who initiated the fight.

Yoshiki had been non-too happy when he found out the truth, and had arranged for Shinya to be sent away as soon as doctors pronounced him 'fit for travel'.

It was hard to imagine all that happened just a week ago. Kaoru had been appalled by his father's coolness and had to rethink his role as son and brother.

Which led him to his current status. A runaway... Along with Aiji and Jun.

Kaoru sighed and shook his head as he looked at the now dozing Aiji. He should have never told Aiji about his little trip. Now Aiji and Jun are involved. Kaoru wondered if he would be sued for kidnapping.

Good, he's asleep. Now's my chance!

Kaoru's expression lightened as he sees "Papi" scrambling off Aiji's lap.

"Where do you think you're going, little fella?" A slight smile graced Kaoru's face as he picked up the ladybird.

Oh no, not again!

But Kaoru just held "Papi" in his arms as he gazed out towards the carriage window.

Good God, I don't think I can take anymore smooching….

-----

"Wah! We lost Kyo! What do we do now?" Toshiya and Miyabi were wailing like babies and pretty much annoying the hell out of Die and the others. The three had been running around the woods looking for Kyo, and news had spread among their peers (everyone had been very careful not to let any adult fairies find out) and now all of them are searching for the missing elf-ling.

"Can you two just quiet down and tell us what happened?" Kohta asked.

"We…we… with Kyo… magic… changed… fought… loo… loo… Lost him..WAH~!" The two broke down again. Levin and Sakito shoo-ed Kohta away and comforted the two bawling brothers. Even quiet Ryutaro was offering comfort to them.

"So much for asking them." Kirito sighed, then walked straight up to Die.

"Talk."

"Mh? I'm not quite sure myself."

"Then tell us what you do know." The " blues brothers' " bawling was getting onto Akira's nerves.

"O-Kay, Kyo was supposed to practise magic with Toshiya and Miyabi by the woods near the old oak tree. I had to help my mom with the store so I was late. By the time I got there, I saw Toshiya and Miyabi fighting over a ladybug. I asked them where Kyo was and Toshiya shoved this ladybug with blonde hair into my face and told him it was Kyo. Then the two of them started fighting again and then Kyo flew out of their hands and he was gone."

Everyone stared at Die. He had said all that in one breath.

"Good heavens! You left Kyo to practise magic with Toshiya!?!?" Hyde looked horrified while Emiru shook his head in dismay.

"What?" Die was baffled but not for long as a loud burst of laughter made him and all the others turn around.

"Hahahaha…. Magic.. Toshiya!?…Hahahaha!" Kohta was laughing his little elf head off.

"Kohta! How can you still laugh at a time like this? This is really serious!" Hyde frowned and swatted his head.

"Ha-Ouch! Hey!--" But before Kohta could say anything else Kirito swatted his head too. Hard.

"OUCH!! Nii-san! What's the idea!?" Kohta had tears in his eyes.

Kirito blinked, then shrugged, "Dunno, just felt like you needed another one."

"Okay, okay guys! Put a sock in it!" Tetsu yelled, breaking up the elf-brothers untimely and unhelpful brawl, "What we really need to do now is find Kyo!"

"Right!" Tadashi agreed, "And we know that Kyo's not Kyo anymore. He's a ladybug-"

"With blonde hair." Die chirped in.

"With blonde hair, last seen near the woods by the old oak tree."

"Which spell did you teach him, cousins?" Emiru finally spoke.

Toshiya and Miyabi managed to read out the spell that they had taught Kyo. Emiru blinked while Tadashi and Takashi were awed.

"And he changed on the first chant?"

The two fairy-nymphs nodded.

"I'm impressed!" And he looked impressed too.

"Way da go Totchi!" The Ta-da-ka-shi brothers cheered. Toshiya forgot to cry for a while to look at them.

"Why? What's wrong?" Die asked gingerly.

"Nothing. In fact, Toshiya did great. He taught Kyo the right spell." Emiru smiled.

"HUH!?" Kohta and Hyde were surprised.

"So all Kyo has to do is just read the incantation backwards and puff! He's back to normal." Emiru clapped his hands in delight.

"That's a relief. For a moment-"

"AH!!!" Toshiya's sudden outcry muted Die for a second. And before anyone knew it, Toshiya was crying again!

"I forgot to tell him the reversing spell!!!! WAH~!!!!"

Akira swore he'd busted one of his blood vessels.

 to be continued~